Experts stress need to conserve water as El Niño threatens supply

MANILA — With much of Luzon expected to receive below-normal rainfall and dry conditions that are projected to persist at least into the first four months of 2027, authorities are looking at ways to conserve water, reduce wastage, and prepare vulnerable communities.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its monthly Climate Forum that a large portion of Luzon is expected to experience significantly reduced rainfall starting next month, with other parts of the Philippines also likely to see declining precipitation.

The dry conditions are projected to persist through December and into the first four months of 2027, raising concerns over water availability as the country prepares for the effects of El Niño.

With rainfall expected to fall below normal across the archipelago, experts are urging households and communities to conserve water while supplies remain relatively adequate.

Anna Liza Solis, chief of PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section, encouraged the public to collect rainwater while it is still available.

“Tama na habang mayroon ng ulan ginagamit ang balde para pangsahod ng ulan. Posibleng mababawasan na talaga ang tubig ulan yung ating balde ay ipapasok na sa loob ng bahay at gagamit ng tabo dahil tap water na ang ating gagamitin,” Solis said.

The decline in rainfall volume has renewed concerns over Metro Manila’s water supply, particularly following the water crisis in 2019.

But Professor Mahar Lagmay of the UP Resilience Institute said the previous crisis was not caused by El Niño alone. The simultaneous implementation of infrastructure projects also affected water distribution at that time.

Lagmay said the current situation offers some reason for optimism, adding that water levels at Angat and La Mesa dams remain relatively high and that similar infrastructure-related projects are not present.

Still, he cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the importance of responsible water use.

“Malaki ang tsansa na magiging ok tayo. Pero at the same time we should also be ‘cautiously optimistic’. Habang lamang tayo, wag nating sayangin,” Lagmay said.

He urged the public to avoid wasting water, saying individual conservation efforts could help the country get through the dry spell until the next rainy season.

Beyond collecting rainwater, authorities are also calling for stronger efforts to prevent water loss from leaking pipes.

Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna urged the public to report leaks so these can be addressed promptly.

Cuna said water concessionaires and the Local Water Utilities Administration are already stepping up efforts to locate leaks and reduce water wastage.

The government is also identifying areas that may require additional support as El Niño intensifies.

Using geographic information system (GIS) data, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) identified around 14,000 barangays nationwide as priority areas for preparedness measures.

“Yung nag-standout po doon, yung Mindoro area, Isabela, and Masbate. Ang tinitignan kasi namin mga method to augment the existing supply is that yung mga dating gumagana ng mga deep well na na-decommission na in the past, pinag-aaralan na ngayon yung pag-re-energize sa kanila. Pangalawa, meron kaming mga small water impounding systems, structures in different areas,” he said.

To help augment existing water supplies, the DENR is studying the possible reactivation of deep wells that were decommissioned in the past.

The agency is also looking into small water impounding systems and other structures that can help communities capture and store water.

In Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is pursuing projects designed to address both flooding and water conservation.

These include retention ponds in parks and retention basins beneath basketball courts, which can collect rainwater for potential storage and reuse.

On Wednesday, the MMDA and the University of the Philippines recently signed a memorandum of understanding to develop water retention ponds on the university campus. The agency is also encouraging local government units to establish their own water retention facilities.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said even relatively small facilities could make a difference if implemented on a wider scale.

“Ang mga LGU can construct small water impounding facilities…kahit sabihin mo na maliit lang. Pero kung isang libong basketball court ang nilagyan mo ng ganiyang facility, eh baka minimal ang pagbaha sa Metro Manila,” Artes said.

Such projects are intended to serve two purposes — reduce flooding by capturing excess rainwater and help build up water reserves that can be reused when supplies become scarce.

Authorities are also considering measures to limit water consumption at certain establishments, including swimming pools, water parks, and golf courses.

Experts, however, stress that any intervention must be based on reliable data and scientific assessments of El Niño’s potential effects.

With rainfall projections pointing to prolonged dry conditions, they say preparation must go beyond short-term restrictions and include practical, evidence-based measures that protect water supplies without wasting public resources.